Tehran: Former Bolivian Foreign Minister Fernando Huanacuni has strongly criticized US President Donald Trump's policies, saying his 'America First' approach has heightened tensions in the international order and that his policies have contributed to global instability.

According to Islamic Republic News Agency, Huanacuni said Trump's policies toward Iran, Venezuela, Cuba, and Bolivia had weakened multilateral institutions, intensified economic pressure, and undermined countries' national sovereignty. Huanacuni stated that these policies are part of a broader US effort to maintain its hegemony over other countries. He emphasized that what distinguishes Trump from previous US administrations is his open and direct pursuit of this aggressive approach through unilateralism and coercive diplomacy.

Huanacuni pointed out that the 'America First' approach 'has created tensions in the international order, while the US withdrawal or threats to withdraw from international agreements and institutions-including the Paris Agreement and the Iran nuclear deal-as well as its questioning of NATO, have weakened traditional alliances and mechanisms of global governance.' He warned that Trump poses a threat not only to the global order but also to humanity.

The former minister also criticized Washington's policies toward Iran, noting that severe economic sanctions were aimed at crippling the Iranian economy and forcing Tehran into negotiations under tougher conditions. He argued that the US's aggressive stance towards Iran reflects a broader desire to control strategic resources and that Washington has historically portrayed Latin Americans as 'drug traffickers' and Middle Easterners as 'terrorists' to justify assassinations and violations of international agreements.

In discussing Latin America, Huanacuni highlighted that US sanctions and economic pressure against Venezuela and Cuba have hindered their development and undermined their right to self-determination. Regarding Bolivia, he said the US has historically sought to control Bolivia's policies due to its abundant natural resources. However, since 2006, Bolivia has been reclaiming its national sovereignty, achieving significant economic progress, and reducing dependence on conditional foreign aid. He stressed the importance of Bolivia freeing itself from US interference and strengthening its historical and cultural awareness to unite its people and pursue development while preserving its sovereignty and national dignity.